Mesenteric, omental, and retroperitoneal cysts in children

Objective: To report our experience in the management of mesenteric, omental, and retroperitoneal cysts. Design: Retrospective study. Setting: University department of paediatric surgery, Turkey. Subjects: 10 children with mesenteric, omental, and retroperitoneal cysts. Intenventions: Laparotomy in all cases. Main outcome measures: Mode of presentation, imaging techniques, surgical intervention, histological examination, morbidity, and recurrence. Results: The main presenting symptoms were abdominal distension and pain. A palpable abdominal mass was detected in 4 patients. Preoperative ultrasonography was done in 8 patients and showed a cystic mass in 7. All patients underwent laparotomy 6 as emergencies because of acute abdominal findings. The cysts were located in the small bowel mesentery in 6, in the retroperitoneum in 2, and in the omentum and the mesosigmoid in another 2. Operations included complete excision of the cyst in 5 and complete excision with intestinal resection in the other 5. There was only one recurrence of a retroperitoneal cyst that needed a second operation. Conclusion: Early recognition and appropriate treatment of these cysts are associated with a good prognosis, but long term follow-up is advisable because of the possibility of recurrence.